Chicago 2012: June 15

Friday.....I don't recall when I woke up. I think around 9am?

[caption id="attachment_2925" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Checking for fanmail[/caption]

It was the dawn of the final day of the marathon and it was a bittersweet feeling. Good, because it was almost over and we were all so tired. Bad, because it was almost over and so fun.

[caption id="attachment_2926" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Opening the fanmail from Dark Master...[/caption]

The agenda for the day was to go check the Post Office box. Zelda Dungeon has a fanmail address and fans sent in mail from the start of the marathon. Three of the guys and I set off in the morning to go check the mail. It was nice to walk around after being cooped up inside, but yet again, it was too hot, hah. But it was cool to actually see fanmail!



After a while, Mases opened the mail live on camera. It was fun to read what fans thought of the marathon, but the best was a package from a familiar forum member - Dark Master. He sent an obscure game and a few other items, but it was fun to hear from him outside of the internet.

[caption id="attachment_2928" align="aligncenter" width="433"] Chicago sunset[/caption]

The afternoon was pretty uneventful. The guys played a multiplayer game to complete it and they kept switching out who was playing, so that kept it interesting.

[caption id="attachment_2929" align="aligncenter" width="433"] Me and the Kirby plush doll[/caption]

Throughout the marathon, fans in the chat would ask question after question about the most random things. C really enjoyed answering questions, and I started to do some too. One day, not sure which one, not much was happening, so I had a long discussion with the chat about books, a topic dear to my heart :) Got a few book recommendations that way too!

[caption id="attachment_2930" align="aligncenter" width="433"] Noms![/caption]

C and I went upstairs to cook one of our favorite meals. Unfortunately, what we picked takes a looong time - chopping veggies, cooking them, and THEN making the rest of the meal, etc. So we were upstairs for a couple hours (at least)....but the other problem was it was so warm upstairs. The stove and oven being on didn't help cool it down. We would go downstairs to cool off. But the effort paid off when we had real food and a good portion of it was devoured.

[caption id="attachment_2931" align="aligncenter" width="650"] PB&J contest[/caption]

The rest of the evening, we started a final countdown toward the end of the marathon. We were behind schedule, but we were still going to finish. Had another PBJ contest, and Gooey remained the reigning champion...devouring it in 40 some seconds O.o.

[caption id="attachment_2932" align="aligncenter" width="650"] After the marathon was finished, the sought after "Finger Dance"[/caption]

The rest of the marathon is a blur to me. I remember finishing and feeling so much relief, but also feeling sad that it was over. It was such a bonding experience and I loved interacting with the chat.

[caption id="attachment_2933" align="aligncenter" width="650"] The whole crew after the marathon was finished[/caption]

By 4am, we were completely finished and doing an "afterparty" of sorts. We had raised over $5000 for Child's Play! A few of the guys entertained the chat for a while. By 4:30 or 5, I was wiped out and ended up going to bed.

The entire marathon event was a blast and I am so glad we got to participate. It was so fun to meet everyone, to interact with the fans, and to raise a good chunk of cash for charity.